RAMAYANA'S REACH EXTENDS FAR BEYOND INDIAN SHORES

In 1786, Sir William Jones found the imprints of the stories of Rama and Sita in the remnants of the Mayan civilisation.

- NITIN MEHTA

As we celebrate the grand opening of Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya the first thing to confirm is exactly how long ago was Lord Rama on this planet. We have 4 Yugas or ages. Satya, Treta, Dwapar and Kaliyuga. Lord Krishna came in Dwapar Yuga and the present Kali Yuga began when he departed over 5,000 years ago. The gap between each Yuga runs into millions of years. Lord Rama incarnated in Treta Yuga which means that he was hundreds and thousands of years before Lord Krishna. So those who keep claiming that Lord Rama was on this planet 10,000 years ago are wrong. Ramayana in the current language is a tool kit of how to live in a family, society and country. It has inspired generations going back tens of thousands of years. It is that magical legend which you never tire of listening to even though you may have heard it umpteen times. The most fascinating part is that it continues to inspire people in many parts of the world. Let us look at this.

PHILIPPINES
For at least two millennia before the arrival of the Spanish, the Philippines was ruled by Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms. In the Lanao province of the island of Minadano live the indigenous Marano people. It is a predominantly Muslim area. They have a dance form called Singkil based on the epic of Darangen, which is an interpretation of the Ramayana. In Dr Juan Francisco’s (1994) book, “From Ayodhya to Pulu Agama Niog; Rama’s Journey to the Philippines” the author traces Rama’s journey into Southeast Asia.